1999 Starting Lineup Extended Series: Greg Maddux

 

Being both a toy collector and a trading card collector with blogs for both hobbies, I wasn't sure which blog to share this figure...however since its sports oriented it landed here. 

I'm not a Starting Lineup collector, however I remember these figures vividly from card shows of the past. I don't want to knock them or anyone who collects these, they just never appealed to me. The only reason I have this one is because I got it for a $1 from a card shop that obviously wanted it gone. The blister bubble is heavily yellowed (my guess is from sunlight or old age), but didn't care as if I was going to buy it I was going to open it...at least for the included baseball card.

I find it mildly fascinating that they would make a figure of Greg Maddux in mid-swing of all poses. Now that MLB has done away with pitchers hitting for themselves in the NL it makes this figure that much more unique. While some NL pitchers did make a name for themselves at the plate (from time to time), I don't recall Maddux doing much with a bat in his hands. None the less at the cheap intro price I couldn't pass it up. He now resides on display behind my baseball card bar in my mancave along with the only other Starting Lineup figure I own of Tim Salmon.

30 Day Baseball Card Challenge - Day 13

30 DAY BASEBALL CARD CHALLENGE

DAY 13

One of your favorite cards from the 1990s

I know the 90's in terms of baseball cards are widely considered the era of junk wax, but man I loved the cards back then. Granted I was knew to the hobby and I didn't care, it was cards like this 1993 Upper Deck of Steve Avery, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine that made me love baseball cards. 

While I still love cards today, I miss some of the gimmicks and things the companies did with their cards in the 1990s. I often wonder if we'll ever see a return to this time in cards. Lets face it though, I ain't holding my breath!

More Surprises from 2x3 Heroes

During my break from baseball, I took the time to get some of the sets I'm still actively building organized, want lists updated and cards finally put in a binder. It was also during this time that I made a few small trades, which was fun. I really would like to do more of that again as I love helping others with their collection needs. I've got some ideas, but I'll save those for another post.

One of the trades I made was with Jeff of 2x3 Heroes. Surprisingly enough I didn't have his great blog on my blogroll originally. I believe he found my blog through someone else's, anyhow after the trade was completed I've come home to two small packages from Jeff!

I've been able to knock off several base cards from my 2015 Topps Gypsy Queen want list and a few off my 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter want list as well. Good thing too as the 2016 baseball card season is finally underway. In addition to a few cards from my want lists, Jeff also slid in a few Braves cards I didn't have!

Any day I get a new John Smoltz card is a good day in my book! I can't think Jeff from 2x3 Heroes enough for his generosity and for helping fill in a few holes in those sets. I owe you one big time!

Braves 4, Dodgers 1

No, I'm not delirious. I know the Braves and Dodgers haven't squared off on the field just yet!

Upon opening the one and only pack of 2015 Topps Heritage, I found a Sandy Koufax card inside. It wasn't long before the Night Owl contacted me wanting that card. Without hesitating, I fired off the card to Greg expecting nothing in return.

Well that wasn't the case.

When I returned home from a camping vacation at Myrtle Beach earlier this week, there was a plain white envelope waiting for me in the mailbox. Inside said envelope were 4 Braves cards. Wait. How was this supposed to work? I wasn't expecting anything, let alone 4 cards. I only sent 1, but got 4? I like those dividends...now only if my stock would perform like that I'd be all set!

First card in the folded piece of paper was this 1992 Baseball Cards Magazine card of Steve Avery. I actively started collecting cards and following the Braves around Steve's rookie year so I have many fond memories of watching him pitch.

This 2013 Postseason Heroes card of John Smoltz has a chrome finish, but lacks the typical Topps Chrome logo. I'm guessing it was part of 2013 Topps series 2? Either way I'll always take a Smoltz card that I don't have!

The last 2 cards hail from this years Topps flagship set. I've seen both on eBay, but I couldn't bring myself to pay $.99 for a card only to pay another $3 to have it shipped to me. 

Who would've guessed that entering the 2015 season that Freddie would be the longest tenured Braves player?

Many thanks to the great Night Owl for his generosity, and of course for his continued efforts of his own great blog.

It's Your Fault!

I've stated several times since I've dusted off this blog that I was done set building (outside of maybe GQ and A&G). I wasn't planning on buying any packs of 2015 Topps Series 1. I was just going to live vicariously through other blogs with the pretty scans and witty dialogue.

But no, everyone had to keep talking about how marvelous the front and backs of these new 2015 Topps are. You just had to keep posting scan after scan of your retail and hobby hits. You just couldn't stop, could you. Just the other day I found myself standing in the check out lane at my local Walmart with a rack pack of 2015 Series 1 in hand. Yes, this is all your fault!

One of the first cards that really stood out in the pack was this World Series card of NC native, Madison Bumgarner. While not a fan of the Giants, it was fun watching him pitch in the Series. Glad my man Tim Hudson also got a ring.

Not a single Braves base card in the pack to be found, bummer. At least I got two cards for my other PCs.

Parallels. 2014 seemed to have too many. I still haven't counted how many exist this go around, but at least the annual gold parallels look nice this year. The Rainbow Foil...I could do without those.

If I'm being honest, these inserts look like crap. Especially these 1st Home Run cards. Silver foil or gold foil, they still look horrible. So glad I'm not building insert sets again.

Bingo! Nice design, check. Braves player, double check.

And to round out the pack a 2nd gold parallel. This time it's a keeper.

I still haven't decided what I'm going to do with these cards, outside of a few. I do have to admit that you are right. These do look nice. So much nicer than 2014. I still can't put my finger on it (pun intended) of why I like this design so much, but rest assured if I buy any more packs I'm still blaming you.

Results from the Quarry

With so many things changing and going on in my life I've had to take a step back from my monthly group break hosting duties.  I'm happy to say that hiflew from Cards from the Quarry has stepped up to fill the void with affordable group breaks!  He has caught on really quick and has what it takes to offer fun, yet affordable breaks for everyone.  I wanted to take a few moments and share some of the great cards I hauled in from last month's group break.

I had the Braves of course and was basically shut out in the 2 Topps Chrome boxes.  I think I got a total of two cards.  I did much better with the box of 1998 Pacific Aurora.  hiflew is like me in that we both love Pacific product.  I however don't share as much love for the Aurora set.  It's a pretty gaudy base design if you ask me, but the inserts (like with most Pacific product) are very innovative and cool.  This had to the single best Braves haul from a group break that I didn't host myself.

Pennant Fever were seeded 1 per pack and feature lots of gold foil.

 

Ah, pay dirt!  I don't remember the listed odds for these die-cut On Deck insert cards.  Who cares...wow!





I've had several new Maddux cards added to my collection recently.  I think we beat the odds with 2 of these On Deck cards.  I'm pretty sure another team got one as well.

Thanks again hiflew for hosting another great group break.  Keep up the good work in my absence!

Maddux Collectors - Help me ID this card!

 

I've never seen this card before, have you?  It's a black and white (obviously) and says "Yours Truly" at the bottom.  I believe I grabbed it for a buck.  I didn't know at the time it was serially numbered, low number at that.  What does the Legend Code: 1939-45TYR on the back mean?

In the mail (weekend edition)

It was a great weekend filled with baseball on TV, in person and for baseball cards! Here's a look at some of the stuff that I picked up over the weekend.

Peter Moylan
2006 Upper Deck Future Stars Clear Path to Greatness Signatures #158

I didn't realize these cards were printed on translucent plastic. Guess that's why they are called "Clear Path..."


Rafael Belliard
1996 Leaf Signature Series Bronze autograph

I loved watching Raffy pull off some amazing throws in the early to mid 90's. Worth $3 I paid.


Brian McCann
2008 Upper Deck Masterpieces Captured on Canvas jersey #CC-BM

It's cards like this that will really make me miss Upper Deck.


Jeff Francoeur
2009 Upper Deck X jersey #UDXJ-JF

Picked it up since it was cheap ($1.00)


Andruw Jones
2006 Topps Bazooka Bazooka Blast bat #BBL-AJ

Always loved those Bazooka sets and Andruw was hands down the best center fielder the Braves have had in a long time (sorry Nate McLouth!)


Lance Berkman
2003 Topps Finest bat #FRB-LB

Shiney, cheap, bat, Berkman!


Greg Maddux
1993 Upper Deck Fun Pack#65, #184, 1998 Pinnacle Piece of the Game#7

Should I feel odd that as an adult I still love the 93 UD Fun Packs?

Tom Glavine
1997 Select Artist's Proof #99


Ryan Klesko
1995 Panini Sticker #100
1995 Upper Deck Collector's Choice Gold Signature #155
1996 Panini Sticker #7
1998 Topps Gallery #GP137 (071/125)
1999 Pacific Omega Bronze #24 (54/99) & Gold (241/299)

I know Pacific got a bit ridiculous with the whole parallel thing in the 90's, but I still miss them.

In the mail 3/9/10

The mail man brought me several new Braves cards along with a few other goodies.

J.D. Drew 05 Fleer Diamond Tributes bat, Jeff Francoeur 08 SPx Winning Materials #48/99, Tom Glavine 01 Stadium Club World Champions jersey, Chipper Jones 10 Upper Deck UD Game Jersey, Greg Maddux 02 Fleer Authentix Ripped jersey, John Smoltz 96 Topps Laser, 08 Upper Deck X die-cut, Mike Sweeney 05 Fleer Patchworks swatch #42/49

In the Mail (Weekend Edition)

I got more swag in the mail this weekend than I had time to scan! So I grabbed some of my favorites and slapped them on the scanner.

Tom Glavine 07 Upper Deck Divisional Artifacts jersey (159/199), Andruw Jones 98 Pinnacle Epix, 03 Topps Tribute (015/225), Chipper Jones 98 Pinnacle Epix, 01 Upper Deck Championship Caliber, David Justice 98 Pacific Paramount Special Delivery, Greg Maddux 09 Upper Deck 20th Anniversary, Fred McGriff 95 Score Rules, Mark Teixeira 07 Bowman Sterling bat

Mike Gonzalez 10 Topps Gold (1630/2010), Tommy Hanson 09 Tristar Obak, Tim Hudson 10 Topps Peak Performance jersey, Brian McCann 08 Upper Deck Game Materials jersey, 08 Upper Deck Documentary, Albert Pujols 04 Studio Stars, Cal Ripken Jr. 98 Pinnacle Epix

08-09 Topps Signature Gerald Wallace autograph #d 0001/1499. I only paid $2 for this card and I had no idea until I received it that it was numbered let alone that it was #1! At least the sticker Topps used was semi-clear so it blends in with the white background.